"THE 
“Ministerial Appeal,” 
es PAL EDICTORY SERMON, 
DELIVERED IN 


The FHvangelic Lutheran Church, 


IN 


vi 


HAGERS-TOWN, MD. 


ON SUNDAY THE 4TH OF SEPTEMBER, 1831: 


PRINTED AT THE ‘‘ FREE PRESS”? OFFICE; 


Sapte as 
REVEREND & Dear Sir : 
Feeling a deep interest in the welfare of ee: congrega- 
tion over which you have so long and affectionately presided as Pastor, and believing 
that the many and important admonitions contained in the Valedictory you yesterday 
delivered, are well calculated to promote its welfare, and to keep alive that spirit of 
prayer and watchfulness so often insisted upon by you, and now in the absence of a 
Shepherd, so particularly necessary ; we as a Committee appointed by the Church Coun- 
etl for that purpose, would respectfully ask the favor of a copy of the Sermon fox if 
‘Hcation. , ia mae _ Very affectionately yours, &c. iia 
Pa AN. ly By GEORGE SHRYOCK, 


: BS one JACOB KAUSLER, 
Rev. B. Kurrz. ae a 


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3 2 HAGERS-TOWN, September 5, 1831. 
Brtoven BReTHren : 


yesterday delivered, is of sufficient importance to entitle it to publication, and therefore 


“wish a copy of it for that purpose; I feel no hesitation in yielding to your request, and 


herewith send you the Manuscript.— With the most sincere prayers for your happiness 
individually, and that of the Councit , and the ConcrecaTion generally, i remain in 


the best bonds, gis Yours, &c. ge 
7 a is Bu KURTZ. y 
Messrs. Gnorce SHRYOcK, * Be. aa a 
| Freperick Stover, Pm Ge 2 Se ies ee 
ee Jacos Kausier. ape me 
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HAGERS-TOWN, Serremsen 5, Asai. : 


4 FREDERICK STOVER, _ Yeon 


As the Cuurcn Councit are of épiuing ‘that the Sermon I 


4 ‘a Sermon. 


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Acts 20. 17—21. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called 
the elders of the Church. And when they were come to him, he said un- 


fo them, Ye know from the first day that I came into Asia, after what 
manner I have been with you at all seasons, serving the Lord with 


all humility of mind, and with many tears and temptations which befell 


me by the lying in wait of the Jews; and how I kept back nothing that 
was projitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you pub- 
liely, and from house to house; testifying both to the Jews, and also to the 
Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 


TO us, the present is an affecting and trying occasion. We are about _ 


to retire from the connexion which has so long subsisted between. us, and 
to take our final leave of you. ‘The cords that have bound us together as 
pastor and people are to be severed—the relation which we have recipro- 
_ cally sustamed, and which a sixteen years duration has so closely cement- 
ed, and rendered so tender, so cordial, and so interesting, is to be dissoly- 
ed, and we are mutually to enter into entirely new engagements. 


Such a separation cannot fail to prodnce strong feelings, particularly un-_ 


der the very friendly circumstances in which it occurs in the present in- 
stance. Respect for your opinion therefore, no less than justice to our- 
selves, demands that we should explicitly exhibit the grounds upon which 
we have felt ourselves justifiable in terminating our past union. “ee 

If we know and may trust ourselves, we can safely declare, that selfish 
considerations have not actuated us. Neither worldly gain, nor worldly 
ease, nor self-aggrandizement has been our motive.’ Neither disaffection 
_ toward individuals, or particular families, or the congregation at large, nor 
dissatisfaction with any treatment we have received in reference to our per- 
son or the compensation allowed us for our services, ‘lies at the foundation 
of our contemplated removal; nor has the prospect of increased comforts, 
or of diminished labors, and much less, the mere love of novelty begotten 
in us, the resolution to.change our sphere of ministerial exertion.” 

Whence then has arisen the determination to leave a neighborhood en- 
deared to us by so many tender reminiscences and affectionate associa-~ 
tions, and to bid adieu to a people whose numerous kindnesses, tried friend- 
ship, long continued support, and warm and unimpaired attachment have 
laid. us under so many obligations and assigned to them so elevated a 
place in our esteem and affection? From no other source has this purpose 
proceeded than a deep sense of duty. | 

Our own feelings no less than your wishes, would have led us to re- 
_ main among you; but the Masrer has plainly intimated that he has a 
~ work elsewhere for us to perform, and when we believe that he calls, we 
must not—we dare not hesitate to obey. It would’be a tedious task to 
set before you the whole train of circumstances from which we have infe r- 
red it to be our peremptory duty to yield to the oft repeated and urgent 
_ call of our brethren in Chambersburgh. Suffice it to say, that they were 
such as forced the conviction upon our mind, that we were bound to trans- 
fer our pastoral labors to another field of the great vineyard of our Lord: 
In a word, we made the subject off our approaching removal, exclusively a 
question of conscience, and after the most deliberate and unbiassed re- 
flection, and the most fervent and persevering prayer, we were led to the 


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conclusion that we must depart, or subject ourselves tothe chaige of of pour- 


ing contempt upon the manifest. indications of an all governing Proy- 


dence. 


We have se lected as the subject matter of our lediiilon. part of that: 


~ pathetic farewell discourse which St Paul délivered to the Elders or Pres- 
byters of Ephesus. NOt having time to'call at that city, he thought-it ,best 
to have a general convocation of the heads of that church to meet him at 
Miletus, (about thitty six miles distazit) that he might communnicate to 
them the instructions mentioned in the. suceeeding part of his address. 


Tn the f further prosecution ‘of our panied, we shall direct your attention” 


to, 

n. The Apostte’s ae ial to the Eiders’ of | Ephesus: m faking a last 
farewell of them at Miletus. : 

Il. The motives with which he made that appeal. “ih: pb 

May the Lord fill this house with his prebenes and our hearts with lis 
a i ee GAR AMM ih elk SA ea oe yi tl a 
, The Apostle’s appeal to the Elders of Ephesus, &e. 


his zealous. and distinguished man’ of God had labored Three years 


among the Elders of Ephesus, so that they had abundant Mee onde dur 
ing that time to obtain a full knowledge not only of his general character, 


but even of'the exercises of his heart... Hence he could with propriety refer 


totheir ownknowledge of him.” Ye know from the first day that I a 


into. Asia after what manner Fhave been with you aé ali seasons. 


Accordingly he appealed to them respecting, . wo ss 
A. His dispositions as achristian— : 
As a christian he had served God with all humility of . a Anxious 


they hicks gy 


not only to save his own soul, but also to exhibit in his life an “example — 


to the flock,” he considered it a matter of high importance to serve the . 


Lord, and him only. And this he did with all humility of mind,i.e. in. 


“all instances of condescension and self-abasement. Though he could Nae) 
boast that j in point of learning, sufferiné and successful labor,2 Cor. 11. 
“he was, not a whit behind the very  chiefest Apostles,” yet Wis oheterhis 


* nence never inflated him with pride and self-consequence ; but like his Mas- 


ter, he continued “meek and lowly in heart,” conversing freély and fami- 
liarly with the poorest and weakest as well as with the most opulent and in- 


fluential, ever willing to stoop to any service in order to advance their hap- 


piness. 

With this humility of mind, he blended compassion for ill souls. 
He had also served the Lord swith many tears. Some of his. hearers like 
many of ours had no doubt rejected the gospel, while others who professed 
to believe in it, walked unworthy of it; and here was cause enough for 


such a man as he, to weep on their account. In his addresses to them > 


therefore, as well‘ as in his supplications in their behalf, his tender heart 
Over flowed with sympathy, while his eyes were suffused with tears ; mourn- 
‘ing. with them that mourned’and mingling his tears with theirs on every 
occasion, he manifested his deep and affectionate concern for their -pros- 
perity... 

Moreover, hd had persevered i in his efforts for their salvation, notwith- 


standing the difficulties he had met with. Many temptations had befal- — 
len him by the -lying in wait of the Jews. Indeed, no man perhaps ever _ 
had his: faith and ‘courage so severely tested as St. Paul. Speaking of 


. himself, he says) 2 Cor. 11. 23. “In labors more abundant, in stripes 
above: measure, In prison more frequent, in deaths oft.? Yet in defi- 


ance ‘of all dangers and opposition he continued for three long and painful 


aoe, to Piaget the work of the ministry among them. | 


_ hiely and from house ‘niga. 


a A cardia 8 ited oy giana 


In the next place he appeaied to them respecting, 
B. His labors as a pastor— , 


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He had certainly been a faithful pastor, for he had kept back nothing: ) 


that was profitable unto them, but had shewn them and taught them pub- 


He had, kept back nothing’ that-was profitable. Notwithstanding the 


dangers to which he was exposed, and the temptation he must have had to” 


suppress those truths that were not acceptable to the unrenewed nature of 
man ; or to the particular prejudices of the Jews and the Gentiles, he ful- 
ly and faithfully ‘declared the whole counsel of God, or the whole doctrine 
of Christ crucified ;—of all that God had revealed concerning the salvation 
of man, he would not suppress one word that was calculated to be profita- 
ble to them. “ a | 
He shewed them and taught them. He did not amuse them -with ab- 
struse speculations nor lead them into, and then lose them in a labyrinth 
of lofty notions and pompous expressions, but skewed them,—plainly un- 
folded to them the simple and sublime truths of the gospel, and taweht them 
with a perspicuity that enabled them tounderstand. . : : 
This he did publicly and from house to house... He did not limit him- 
self to a chosen few in secret, when he had an opportunity of preaching to 
the great congregation, nor did he confine himself to the congregation, 
when there was occasion for private and personal instructions; nor did he 


think it too laborious or troublesome to go from house to house, and even 


~ from individual, to individual to seek those that were weak and had wan- 


dered. “Behold here,” says the pious and judicious -Calmet, “ the mo- 


* del of a good shepherd—full of doctrine and zeal: he communicates with 


profusion, and yet discretion, without jealousy and without fear, what God 


» had putin his heart, and what charity inspires.” 


Finally, the Apostle’s appeal also had respect to, 


CC. Ms doctrines as a preacher— es 


foward God, and faith toward our Lord-Jesus Christ. 

He had testified, i. e. he had preached as one upon oath, that was him- 
eself fully assured ofthe truth of what he preached. As a ‘conscientious 
_ witness gives in his evidence at the bar, with the utmost seriousness and 

concern, so he testified in relation to the doctrines of the gospel. 
~The particular doctrines concerning which he chiefly testified or preach- 


He had. testified both to the Jews and also to the Greeks, repentance | 


_ ed, were repentance toward God and’ faith toward our ‘Lord Jesus - 


oe 


Christ. He did not present to his hearers philosophical disquisitions, or 


matters of metaphysical and doubtful disputation; nor did he attempt to 
feed their starving souls with mere moral essays, clothed: in fustian, and 
set off with bombastick tropes and frothy. metaphors. But he urged upon 
them the fundamental doctrines of repentance toward God and Seith to- 


_ ward our Lord Jesus Christ. ) 


* 


Repentance here imports sorrow for sin, or deep and heartfelt humilia— 


_ tion before God, for the violation of hislaw. This is indispensible in or- 
derto obtain mercy; for our Lord declares: “Except ye repent ye shall all 
likewise perish ,” Luke 13. 3., andthe Apostle adds: “God commandeth 
all men every where to repent.” Acts 17. 30. But necessary as repentance 


ae 


is for every one, it is not sufficient for salvation, because it cannot atone -- 


for sin. If our eyes were fountains of tears and we ‘could weep day and 
night, we could not thereby obliterate one single offence we have commit- 
‘4d, or render satisfaction for the most trifling aberration from the path of 
duty. Repentance is therefore of no avail whatever, unless faith accom, 


“pany it. Hence the Apostle yet further insisted on faith toward our Loyth 


Jesus» Christ. 


a ) i = 


Faith, when thus ae im connexion with repentance implies an fotki 

sive and coniident reliance on Christ as our’ Mediator and Redeemer, for 
pardon and eternal life. By repentance we confess and abandon sin, but 
by faith we trust in the merits of our crucified Lord for mercy and salva- 
tion; by ‘repentance we learn to detest sin and to fly from it as from a hid- 
cous monster or a deadly. poison, but by fatth we #nounce all dependence 
upon ourselves and confide inthe blood and righteousness of the Son of 
God for remission of sin, and acceptance with the Father. This re- 
pentance and faith were equally necessary to the salvation both of Jews 
and Gentiles, for all had sinned and fallen short of God’s glory,and hence 
the Apostle pressed these duties alike upon both. 

Such a minister was St. Paul, and such they all knew him to have ie: 
and hence he could boldly ane ee et to ~? on the sev-, 
eral points just noticed. 

Beloved brethren, may we not on the present occasion are a some- 
what similar appeal to you? We indeed presume not to place ourselves 
upon a level with the holy Apostle; we are deeply sensible of our utter 
unworthiness of a comparison with him, and have a feeling conviction of 
our numerous infirmities; but may we not, without exposing ourselves to 
the imputation of pretending to such a competition, humbly appeal to you 
as regards our sincerity, diligence and soundness of doctrine? Ve know 
from the first day that we came into Hagerstown, after what manner we 
have been with you at all seasons.. You have seen us in all the various 

‘relations of life, and witnessed our manner and behaviour in the several 
departments of our profession—as christian—as pastor—as preacher. And 
-eannot you who are best acquainted with us, bear testimony to a uniformity 
of disposition to serve the Lord ? - Have you not found us always ready to, 
-condescend to any duty for the sake of. your souls ? have we not served 
the poorest and weakest in the congregation when there could have been 
% no prospect of compensation, with as much alacrity as the wealthiest and’ 
most influential? has not our heart, often filled up with intense and com- 

"passionate anxiety for your salvation and for that of your beleved children, 

.. while, our eyes bathed in tears, have borne witness to our sincerity? and 
have we not persevered in the. ‘fies of more opposition and amidst severer 
trials than could have been endured by flesh and blood if God had not 
supported us ?—You know what dangers have befallen us by the lying in 
wait, not of the Jews, but of unbelievers and scoffers of a diferent char- 
acter; you know what unkind treatment we have met with, not so much 
from ‘the. members of the congregtion, as from other and fa eign sources, 
' —what calumnies have assailed us, what troubles have invaded our peace, 
how our purest motives have sometimes been misrepresented, our most 
innocent remarks misconstrued and our best actions perverted;—you 

.. know) ‘what - cruel censures have‘ been recklessly hurled against us, and, 

a what acrimony and malevolence have characterized the persecutions of 
some of our enemies.’ But did they succeed in driving us from the post | - 
“of duty? haye we not for the space of sixteen years, (during which fre- 
quent opportunities to accept of other stations presented themselves) per- 
severed in our efforts for your good’ Thanks be to God for the wonderful - 
support he has vouchsafed. to us in the midst of afflictions, which, without _ 
his divatie presence, would have been too heavy for flesh and blood to sus- 
‘tain! 
In refetence to. our labors as a pastor, we confidently appeal, whether 
we have kept back any one truth of the gospel that might have been ie” 
_ able to you ?. have we not declared to you the whole counsel of God, ane 
_ that too with Me the simplicity a and plainness of which we were capable? 
bry 


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uniting doctrines, duties and christian experience, urgmg you at one 
time, by the precious promises, and at’ ‘another, by the awful demunciations 


of God’s word,-—warning sinners, comforting mourners, encouraging be- | 


lievers, and bndedvotitic, to restore backsliders to the Shepherd and Bish- 
op of their souls?, Can any one of you say, that a desire either to court 
your favor or to escape your displeasure, ever once led:us to suppress the 
truth, or keep back reproof when it was necessary ? Moreover, have we 
not visited you in your houses, prayed with you in your families, convers- 
ed with you in private on the great interests of your future destiny, and en- 
deavored to stimulate you by personal exhortation to a faithful discharge 


of religious duty? Have not ‘your dear children, your beloved sons and — 


daughters, lien near to our heart, and _ participated largely in our pastoral 
labors; and that too, to the conversion of many of. them from sin to the 
Lord Jesus Christ, so that they are now, not only the present hope of the 
Church, but also the joy of your hearts and the pride of your families? 
_ Are net alarge majority of your congregation, consisting mostly of young 

people, our own dear nurslings,—our own beloved little band of brothers 
and sisters in Christ whom we have instructed, confirmed and admitted to 
their first participation in the Holy Supper? es not the grace of God made 
many of them “the seals of our Apostleship in the Lord,” so that we can 
say in relation to them, as did the Apostle with respect tothe Thessaloni- 
ans: 1 Thess. 2.19. “For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? 


are’not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming??? 
and may we not hope that the Lord of Hosts will claim them as Mat. 2. 17. 


“his in that day when he shall make up his jewels,” and that we may be 
permitted to take them by the hand and lead them. forward one by one 


to ther Fathers and their Brothers throne, and present them there as the — 
trophies of redeeming blood, saying: Here am Land pihey whom thou hast 


given, me 2 , 
As regards the principles we have proclaimed, we feel still greater con- 
fidence in making our appeal. Have not the two most prominent and es- 


sential doctrines of christianity, repentance toward God and faith to- — 


ward our Lord Jesus Christ, constituted the theme of our public and pri- 
vate ministrations? have we not a thousand times taught you and prov- 
‘en to you from scripture and observation, that you are all grievous sinners 
in the sight of God both by nature and by practice, and as such, under the 


curse of the law and ‘exposed to the eternal wrath of J ehovahi? have we. 
not therefore called upon you and entreated you on every occasion to re- | 


‘pent;—to loathe and abhor yourselves before God in the dust of humilia- 
tion and contrition and beseech him for pardoning and saving grace? have 


we not at the same time shown you the utter insufficiency of your tears to» 


Wipe away your guilt, and of moral amendment to expiate your past offen- 
ces, and therefore directed you to look with the.eyes of faith to Christ as 
the only one whose merits can atone, whose blood can cleanse, whose right- 


eousness can justify, whose spirit can sanctify and whose vicarious sacra-_ 
fice can accomplish 4 complete reconciliation between your souls and your — 


God? have we not testified to you in the most solemh manner; and over 
and over again that this is the only way of salvation for you all, whether 
moral or immoral, whether self righteous pharisees or philosophising and 
contemptuous insdlels, and whether you-move in the more’ distinguished 


circles of life, or belong to the less refined orders of society; and that un-~ 


less you renounce all reliance upon every thing you have’ done or can do, 
and with broken hearts and contrite spirits, trust exclusively in the blood 
: and righteousness of the Son of God, it will be impossible for you to es- 
Cape the punishment due to your iniquities, and much less enter into the 


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kingdom of Heaven ?. an have we not in view of all these interesting 
truths, exhorted you times without number, and conjured you by every 
"solemn obligation that could. be suggested,—by the everlasting glories 
of Heaven, and” By the eternal torments of Hell to believe in Christ without 
delay, in order to’ the salvation of your immortal souls ? sie speak as to 


- wise men, judge ye what we say. 1 Cor. 10. 15, 


But as the making ofthis appeal may, to a , Superficial pheoren hah to 
savor of pride, we must proceed to consider, . 

IL: Lhe motives with which at was made. 

We may be well assured that St. Paul sought not to advaniee’ his own 
glory: no; he had bighes ends in view ;: he endeavored to show the Elders 


| of of Ephesus, 


A, How much they were indebted to Gad for the privileges they had 
enjoyed. 

To have sucha roinistes of the word So tone continued to them, was a 
geeater blessingthan to be loaded with all the temporal benefits that could 
have been bestowed upon them. By means of his Ministry, vast. multi- « 
tudes had been “turned from darkness unto light, and from the power of 
Satan unto God:” now therefore that they were about to be deprived ef 
those blessings, it became them, not so much to grieve at the loss they were 
to sustain, as to adore God for the benefits they had enjoyed. In review- 
ing his labors amongst them for the space of three years, they would see 
how greatly they were indebted to God above other cities, which had en- 
joyed only a transient visit of a few days or weeks; and would feel them- 
selves bound to render to the Lord, pichiaas. to the benefits he had con- 
ferred upon them. 

And in making our appeal, we hope we peas been actuated by asimilar 

~motive. It is not, we trust, in a spirit of self- -complacency aud self-appro- 


», bation that we have taken this hasty retrospective view of our past minis- 


irations. For we know that we have often been remiss in our duty and 
* deserved: your censure; often by our short comings and offences furnished 
you occasions for the exercise of your patience and forgiving love toward 
us; andon the whole, we are sensible we have a great deal more cause for 
self-humiliation and” self-loathing before Ged,. than to compliment ce 
commend ourselves. ©»): i 
- . Surely then, with such a view of our aut and such’a' conviction of our 
deficiency, pride and vanity, we hope, have had no share in dictating the 
appeal we have this day made. But we were anxious like the Apostle, to 
stir. you up to gratitude: for the distinguished privileges he has already 


wouchsafed to you. 


If there bé any foundation for our appeal, there ought you not so much 
to. dwell on the approaching separation as to praise God for what he has 
already done.. Few Lutheran congregations have been more highly fa- 
vored than yours. For upwards of a half a century, you have enjoyed 
‘with scarcely any intermission all the advantages of ‘a christian ministry. 
And it is worthy offfemark, that some of the most devout and eminent di- 
vines of our church have "been stationed among you; we need only men- 
tion the names of Young, Gehring, Schmucker and Scheffer,* men 
“whose praise isin the gospel throughout all the churches,” and who are 

* It may be noticed seas bal as a singular Piandenoy) that of five Lutheran ministers 
located in Hagerstown, three continued their ministrations precisely sixteen years, viz: 
Mr. Young, Dr, ‘Schmucker, and the Author. My. Gehring returned to York, Pa. 
whence he had been ealled, ‘after a residence of only one year; and Mr. Schaffer, ‘after 


a faithful and laborious ministration of little more than four years, was called home by 
the Master to his eternal reward. . 


¥ v. 


universally enumerated among the brightest ornaments of our Zion. As- 
suredly then, you should not murmur against God, nor censure him who 
considers himself bound, after so long and so laborious a performance of 
duty, to withdraw from among you; but you ought rather to cherish 
grateful recollection of the marvellons mercy of God in times past, and try 
to profit by it. How has God prospered this congregation in latter years ? 
how many hundreds have been added to your number ?* how large a pro- 
portion of the rising generation have ‘become the hopeful subjects of re- 
newing and saving grace? what a “season of refreshing” was granted us 
during last fall and winter, to the conversion of a large number of impeni- 
tent sinners, and the edification and encouragement of many believers in 
Christ ? what harmony and unanimity prevail among you at this time ? 
0 verily, your hearts should swell with gratitude, and your mouths should 
be filled with praises; instead of being depressed you should individually 
adopt the language of the Psalmist : “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all 
that is within me, b/ess his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and 
forget not all his benefits:” Ps. 103. 1.2. Thus you may hope that God 
will remember you for good hereafter ; so far he has been gracious, let the 
past be regarded as a pledge of what he will achieve for you in future, if 
ai are thankful, and make a wise improvement of the grace already con- 
erred. | o 
Another object of the Apostle in his appeal to the Elders of Ephesus, 
was to suggest to them, eel 
B. How carefully they should guard against departing from the faith. 
Notwithstanding all the instructions they had received, they might, and 
would, if left to themselves, depart from God. St. Paul knew, that, “after 
his departure, grievous wolves would enter in among them,” and that even 
from among themselves men would arise, “speaking perverse things, to 
draw away disciples after them.” — Hence he reminded them of his own 
dispositions as a christian, of his unwearied labors in theit behalf as a pas~ 
tor, and of the fidelity with which he preached to them the doctrines of 
repentance and faith; in order that they might infer from all this, the ne- 
cessity of guarding against any declension from what he had “shewed and 
taught them both publicly and from house to liouse.” Bsa 
With the same view we also have made our appeal. ‘There is perhaps 
no season when members of a congregation aré in greater danger of going 
or being led astray, than at the removal of a faithful minister, unless there 
be substituted in his placé.an Elisha, on whom the mantle of Elijah has 
fallen.— -When Moses was on the Mount only 40 days, the people, even 
with Aaron at their head, departed from the Lord, and made’ a, golden 
calf. What then must not be expected, where the bereavement is likely 
to be of longer continuance ; and the people are left without any such 
distinguished saint to superintend and control them ? It is true, you will 
not be left destitute; no, we thank God, that a beloved brother, “a guile- 
less Nathaniel,”.a pastor after God’s own heart, has kindly consented to 
break the bread of life to you occasionally until you can be properly sup- 
plied.{ But his services, faithful as they doubtless will be, must necessa~ 
tily be very limited, as he has another calling which will engross nearly the 
) * 


* The Author added twelve hundred are seventy three individuals to the four congre- 
gations under his charge, two of which however, he has not attended to during the last 
five or six years. . ‘he 

TAs the sentiment here expressed, is liable to misconstruction, the Author would ob- — 
Nabi that he has no personal allusion to himself or others, but is speaking in general 

erms. ; Re. 

{The Rev. Mr. “Tosheur has engaged te preach onesermon to the congregation, eve- 
ty Lord’s day. 


/ 


10 


whole of his time and attention.’ | Hence-we deem itimportant to urge you. 
to future watchfulness. _O how many temptations will beset your path and. 
importune you to relapse from the faith and forget your God ? ‘how will the ” 
world and your heart solicit you to forsake the Saviour and ‘disregard the 
interests of your immortal souls? how will “ Satan desire to have. you. that’ 
he may sift you as wheat °”” what means will be‘employed to’ draw:you: 
aside from your church, to induce you to forsake * the assembling of your~ 
selves together” here in this house of God, and to relinquish “ the profes- 
sion of your faith?” It is known to you all, that there are not wanting: 
those, who would be willing to aggrandize themselves by building up their” 
own church upon the very ruins of ours,and then triumphantly rejoice and 
boast of the success that has attended their proselyting schemes, though 
our little Zion should writhe and bleed at every pore in consequence of 
the wounds inflicted upon her. And if ‘such efforts are: made when you 
have a pastor to watch over your interests, how much more when the ab- 
sence of the Shepherd and the hope of impunity will invite the attack of 
the enemy ?—Moreover, it is possible for a root of bitterness to spring up! 
among yourselves and trouble you, whereby many may be defiled. | Dis- 
sensions and discord may arise in your own midst, particularly if an oppor-: 
tunity should present itself to choose another pastor. In various other ways, 
the Congregation in general, and individual members in particular may be 
seriously injured. We would therefore beseech you all to “watch and re- 
member that by the space of 16 years, we ceased not to warn you every 
one, night and day, with tears.” Have we not served you with prompt- 
ness whenever called on? have we not manifested the most tender com- 
passion for your souls, and persevered year after year amidst toils, and hard-: 
ships and oppositions which might have driven firmer men than us from 
the field of combat ? have we not declared to you the whole counsel of 
God, keeping back nothing that was profitable ? testifying both to hollow 
professors and hardened unbelievers, repentance toward God and faith to- 
ward our Lord Jesus Christ ?—And shall all this have been in vain? will 
you now at last depart from the faith, forsake your church, or grow careless 
in the work of your salvation? O we hope not! we cannot endure the 
thought ; we entreat you therefore again and again to be faithful, and to 
watch and pray without ceasing, lest you enter into temptation. al 
Finally, in making his appeal, the Apostle wished to intimate to them— 
-C. How carnestly they should strive to promote the interests of the 
Church— ne | iach 
These Elders are tlie same as in a subsequent verse are called “Over- 
seers,” or “Bishops;” and as their peculiar duty called them “to feed the: 
church of God,” he charged them “to take heed both to themselves and. 
to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost had placed them,” even that 
church, which onr incarnate “God had purchased with his own blood.” 
What mighty consideratious does he here urge, to stimulate them to a dil-: 
igent discharge of their high office! O that every Minister felt their full 
influence, and were actuated by them in the whole of his conduct ! | 
Our object in appealing to you this day, was also to excite ‘you to zeal 
in promoting the welfare of your congregation. You must not suppose that 
it is the exclusive duty of ministers to labor for the prosperity of Zion, for 
every member of a church may do much towards the establishment of his 
Brethren in faith, and love, and holiness. All should’‘watch over one an- 
other for good; and this duty is still more imperative, when a Pastor is.re- 
moved, and scope is thereby afforded for the entrance of contentious per- 
sons to distract and divide the Church. We therefore exhort every one of 


you to perform his part in helping forward the cause of the congregation. 


y xt ie 


Let the: ‘Filders and. Deacons: remember that: they.owe it to. their brethren, 
who elected them to'their present honorable. stations, as. well as to,them- 
selves, to labor faithfully for thé chur reh, and'to lead the van in every, good 
measure that may-have a tendency to promote its temporal and spiritual pros- 
perity. Let them who are not members of the council, bear in. mind that 
they are bound to co-operate with them that are, In“every good word and 
work.” ) Let the young men and women especially, love the cates of Zion, 
and account it an honor and a privilege totake a very active pert in further- 
ing her interests.. ‘Fhis you may all do ina variety of ware a few of. which, 
7 shall now in concluding, briefly: suggest ‘— A. se} 
You must labor to preserve unity.and peace— : | 
‘Oni Saviour teaches usthat “if a kingdom be divided against ieole that | 
Ringdom cannot stand, .and if a house be divided against itself, that house 
cannot stand 3”? Mark 3.24. 25. and we may also add that a congregation, 
distracted by divisions and involved in broils cannot flourish. | There is 
therefore much sound truth inthe German proverb: . “Der Friede nvhrt, 
uber der Unfriede:zehrt.*”. Hence we find in the Epistle to the Ephesians, 
the following ‘impressive exhortation on this subject : “I therefore (the 
prisoner of the Lord,) beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation. 
wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long-suffer- 
ing, forbearing one another i in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the: 
Spirit. in the bond of peace.’ We entreat you to. lay to heart this solemn. | 
admonition, and carefully avoid whatever might tend to interrupt the har-. » 
mony and destroy the good feeling at present existing ; and regarding each 
other as brethren in Christ, as children of the same Father, members of 
the same body, and recipients in prospect. of the same eternal glories ; let 
pene love and friendship abound and reign triumphantly in every bosom. . 


ta, at a pleasing sight, 
Are brethren that agree! 

How blest are all whose hearts unite 
In bonds of piety ! 


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62, You must be diligent in the use of all the means of grace— 

You know that we have always insisted on this, for as the body with- 

; eut food must. perish, so the.soul without spiritual. sustenance will soon. 
languish and die unto God and vital religion. .We exhort you therefore, 
to be zealous and constant. in, your attendance on all those means appoint~ 
ed of God for the preservation and promotion of the principle of spiritual 
life in the soul. .Study the sacred pages, visit the sanctuary of the Lord, 
pray in'your closets and with your families, commemorate the dying love! 
of your Redeemer in the holy communion, attend the Wednesday evening 
Lecture, let your Sunday School, your Saturday night prayer-meetings, and 
themonthly meetings of the Church Council be continued with as much, 
and even more zeal than ever ; and let that pious band of young brethren, r 
who have so long been in the ‘habit of meeting on Monday evening, by no 
means suffer that lovely little school of fraternal affection and christian pie-_ 
to languish and fail,—may God’s blessing rest upon it. Thus, 


Allin their stations move, 

And each perform his part, 

~ In every work of zealand love, 
With sympathizing heart. 


“Further, in order to advance the cause of the congregation — 
3. You must make adequate provision for your pastor. 
This is a subject which we have a felt reluctant to bring before 


“In peace we flourish—in war we perish:. 


My, 


Ls . 


you, lest the consideration of it should prove injurious to religion, by giving 
color to the suspicion of mercenary motives. But now that we are taking 
leave of you, and cannot ourselves expect to derive any personal: benefit 
from the discussion, we hope to escape the ungenerous imputation. 

We observe then that in this respect our congregations in general are 
mournfully deficient, greatly to the discredit of Lutherans and. to the in= 
jury of the cause of religion amongus. Many of our ministers: are com- 
pelled to take charge of 3, 4, 5, 6, and even more: congregations in order 
to obtain a scanty subsistence! Instead of devoting much of their time to 
meditation and preparation for the pulpit, and to. visiting from-house to 
house for the good of souls; they must keep a horse and consume their 
time in riding to distant churches. and preaching from four to. seven and 
€ight times a week, exposing themselves to “the peltings of the. pitiless 
storm,” and’ the most inclement weather, and frequently at hours and sea-. 
sons when a man of common sensibility would shuddér to think that his 
domestic animals were not under comfortable shelter. Thus their strength 
is soon prostrated, their spirits broken down; and nervous debility, gloomy. 

melancholy, hepatic disorders and pulmonary affections, and other fearful 
maladies crowd upon their emaciated frame, until premature death relieves 
them from their hard servitude; and in addition to these accumulated 
cares and ills, it is not uncommon for them to be suffering under all the 
_ privations and distresses of poverty, and finally to leave a helpless and 
_ pennyless family to the stinted pities of a merciless world! If this be not 
unjust and cruel, we are at a loss to know wherein these crimes consist. __ 
_ Even the small stipend promised them, is sometimes not paid. How 
often do individuals when called upon for the small amount of their sub- 
scription, cavil, demur and refuse payment, and thus, meanly take advan- 
tage of that custom in our country, which forbids a resort to coercive mea- 
sures for the collection of ministers salaries! Verily, we are at a loss to 
express our indignation in terms sufficiently strong against conduct so in- 
effably contemptible. When the ministers of Christ are witnesses to such 
despicable manceuvreing, and yet further discover that the narrow pittance 
they do receive, is regarded by many, not as the partial payment of a just 
debt ; which Christ claims for his faithful servants,and which cannot be with- 
held without robbery, but as a charitable donation, is ita wonder if they 
exclaim: “ Oh that Ihad in the wilderness a lodging place !?,—We indig- 
nantly spurn for ourselves and for our brethren, the degrading idea that: we 
are supported by charity. We are not clerical pensioners upon mere boun~ 
ty. Our appealis te Justice ; and if our claims are denied on this ground, 
we refuse to plead before any ‘other tribunal, and refer the matter to. the 
great assize ! | 
Congregations who, to their areos and wide and endless eel ong dors 
reluctantly dole out such a wretched pittance from their affluence, deserve 
to be put upon abstinence for at! least a twelvemonth, or until they are wil+ 
ling to support their pastor-in comfort. They love: their minister’ dearly 
with their lips, but hate him: as cordially with their pockets. They keep 
him poor to keep him humble, forgetting that as humility is no less neces- 
sary for themselves than for him, this is an ar gument why the articles which 
minister to their pride, should be retrenched in order to support his com- 
fort. It is curious to hear how some members will pray for their minister, 
and entreat God to bless him in his basket and his store, while alas! - poor 
man, they have taken special care that his basket shall be empty, and his 
store nothingness. 
The Scriptures are very explicit on this head, * Let fe that is taught in 
the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good Sey Gall: 6: 


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6. Who goeth a warfare any time at hisown, charges /--evenso hath the 
Lord ordained, that they which preach the gospel, should live of the gos- 
pel.” Cor. 9, 714. Moreover, ministers are required to devote them: 
selves exclusively to the duties of their office, “Give thyself wholly to 
them.? 1, Tim. 4:15. “No man that warreth, entangleth himself with 
the affairs of this life ;? 2 Tim. 2.4. and hence the necessity of their live | 
ing of tie gospel which they preach. ». . Feria 1s Weer hy at 

But:we are perhaps dwelling too long on this part of the subject, par- 
ticularly as there are not very many in this congregation to whom the fore- 
going remarks strictly apply. We rejoice to have. it in our power to state, 
that while a few individuals stand charged with the delinquencies upon 
which we have been animadverting, yet, as a congregation, you have al- 
ways faithfully performed your engagements with us, and this testimony 
we will cheerfully bear in your favor whenever it may be necessary. But 
let us entreat you to continue hereafter to make ample provision for 
your pastor. Always remember that he who. devotes his life to assist 
you in obtaining an imheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth 
not -away,—who, by his ministrations, soothes your cares, lightens your sor- 
rows, mortifies your sins, throws a radiance over your darkest scenes, and ~ 
gilds your brightest ones with additional splendonr ;—is well entitled to @ 
generous recompence. . , 

Once more, in your efforts.to further the good cause— 

A, Vou must entertain a tender regard for your pastoins reputation. 

If a fair character is of value in the ordinary concerns of life, it is ten- 
fold. more:so in the holy exercises of the sanctuary; hence, a minister 
despoiled of his good name, is like Sampson shorn of his locks—a poor, 
feeble, faltering creature, the pity of his friends and the derision of his en- 
emies. Weby no means wish a bad minister screened, but would not have 
a. good one maligned; and so long as he “walks worthy of his calling,? 
hig congregation should preserve his reputation against the tongue of the 
slanderer with as much eare, as they would his life against the hand of the 
assassin. | iy 

. When we consider the restless malignity of the enemy of God and ho- 
liness, and add to this his subtlety and craft; when we consider what a 
multitude of. unbelievers there are who are his vassals, and under his ma~ 
lion influence, creatures so destitute of moral principle, and so filled with 
venom against! religion, as to be. prepared to go any lengths in defaming : 
the righteous, and especially gospel ministers, the only wonder is, that the 
character of christian pastors. is not more frequenty blasted by the poison- 
ous breath of: calumny. “How tremblingly alive should you therefore be 
to the importance of defending your minister. You should neither ex- 
pect to see him perfect, nor hunt: after his imperfections—imperfections 
which after all may be consistent with not only real piety, but eminent pie- 
ty—you should not take pleasure in either magnifying or looking at them ; 
but make all reasonable excuse for them, and endeavor to lose sight of his 
infirmities in. his virtues, as you do the spots of the sun amidst the radiance 
with which they are surrounded. Beware of whispers,innuendoes,significant 
shrugs and nods,and especially of that slanderous silence,which is often more 
defamatory than the broadest accusations ;* and let every one learn by heart 
and in heart, Luther’s admirable explanation of the 8th commandment : 


*For some of the sentiments contained in this and the preceding paragraph, we ac- 
knowledge ourselves indebted to Mr. James, of Birmingham, England; and as_ those 
who. were present at the delivery of this Sermon, will not recollect having heard these 
two paragraphs, we have to observe, that we had them prepared and intended te deliv- 


#r them, but for want of time were obligedtoomit them, 


14 
“THAT WE SHOULD SO FEAR AND LOVE GoD, AS NOT To BELIE, BETRAY. 
SLANDER OR RAISE INJURIOUS REPORTS AGAINST OUR NEIGHBOR; BUT 
APOLOGIZE FOR HIM, SPEAK WELL OF HIM, AND PUT THE MOST CHARIT- 
ABLE CONSTRUCTION ON ALL HIS ACTIONS.” ) 

In conclusion, we leave our blessing upon you all, both collectively as a 
congregation, and singly as individuals. Venerable men and women, 
(for whom we have no other feeling but that of respect and affection) whose 
locks, blanched by the frost of time, and green old age, announce the so- 
ber stillness of a declining sun, accept for yourselves our devout prayer : 
“‘O God thou hast taught them from their youth, now also when they are 
old and gray-headed, O God forsake them not: Psal. 71. 17, 18. “being 
found in the way of righteousness, may their hoary heads be crowns of glo- 
ry.” ‘To the middle aged, we would address the words of the Saviour: 
“ You must work the works of him that sent you, while it is day, for the 
night cometh when no man can work.” Joh. 9.4. And you, my young 
brethren—al/—especially those of you whom it was our privilege to in- 
struct and confirm—my own beloved band, whom my heart must ever hold 
in most endeared remembrance ;—receive once more a word of counsel 
which we give inthe language of David to his son Solomon: ‘“ And thou, 
my son; (and thou, my davghter,) know thou the God of thy fathers, and 
serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind : for the Lord search- 
eth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations ofthe thoughts : if 
thou seek him, he willbe found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will 
cast thee off forever.” 1 Chron. 28.9. © may the roses of your youth 
acquire their loveliest tinge when your hearts beat highest in the service 
of the God of your fathers! And may those roses be resuscitated to bloom 
in yet lovelier and immortal dies, in the day, when that God shall summon 
you to rise and take your station in his eternal kingdom ;—1n THAT DAY— 
beloved band !—may not one of you be Lackine! Our parting admoni-~ 
tion to IMPENITENT SINNERS, is: “Except ye be born again, ye cannot see 
the kingdom of God.” Joh. 3. 3. “ Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise 
from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” Eph. 5. 14.—-to MourN- 
ERs : “ Look unto Jesus, and be ye saved, for he is God, and there is none 
else.” Isa, 45. 22.—to BacKkstipers : “Remember from whence thou art 
fallen, and repent, and do the first works.” Rev. 2. 5.—to BELIEVERS : 
“Lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset you, and 
run with patience the race that is set before you, looking unto Jesus the 
author and finisher of your faith.” Heb. 12. 1,2. 

Toall our friends who stood by us through evil as well as good report, 
whose tender sympathies so often soothed our troubled feelings and sola- 
ced our aching heart, when dark and dismal scenes crowded around us; 
and whose warm attachment has remained uninterrupted until this day ; 
we tender the most ardent thanks of an ardent heart—may the Lord re- 
ward them according to their numerous kindnesses and the abundance of 


__ his own mercy. All who have ever done us any injury whatever, we now, 


as we have done before, in the presence of God, cheerfully and cordially 
forgive, praying that the Lord may also pardon them, and hoping that they 
and all others may exercise toward us the same charitable disposition, 
and that we may all hereafter meet “before the throne, and before the 
Lamb, clothed with white:robes, and palms in our hands,” mingling our 
joyous voices in the harmonious and universal acclaim of “SaLvaTION To 
ouR GoD WHICH SITTETH UPON THE THRONE, AND UNTO THE LAMB.” 

“And now, brethren, we commend you to God, and to the word of his 
grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance a- 
mong all them which are sanctified.” AMEN. 


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